Massage appliance



July 3, 1928. 1,676,104 l A. MERKE MASSAGE APPLIANCE Filed NOV. 4, 1927 INVENTOR.

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Patented July 3, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALOIS MERKE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MASSAGE APPLIANCE.

Application led November 4, 1927. SerialvNo. 231,082.

'This invention relates to a massaging device, designed primarily for use for the treatment of the scalp, but it is to be understood that a device in accordance with this inven- 6 tion, may be employed for any purpose for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a man` scalp or skin to be massaged and furtherl with the device including spring controlled means communicating with the cup for expeditiously creating a lsuction action on such part to tension the same whereby the benelicial effect obtained from the massaging of such part will be enhanced.

vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a device of the class referred to for expe-l ditiously blowing o dandruif from the scalp when the latter is being massaged by the 3o device.

Further objects of the invention are tov provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a massage device which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated, capable of being used with or without a suction action upon the scalp or skin, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive nto manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation of a massaging device in accordance with this invention.

A further object of the invention is to pro-v v Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 Figure 2.

A massaging device, in accordance with thisinvention, includes a spring controlled handle element and a cup element communicatmg with the former. The handle element functions to create a suction within the cup element to apply tension to the part of the scalp or skin which is to be massaged, and with the cup element being formed with massaging tips capable of being employed with or without a tensioning action applied to the scalp or skin.

The handle element includes a tubular body portion l of uniform diameter throughout formed of resilient material impervious to air, such as rubber of the desired thickness and which has its inner and outer ends open. Positioned against the outer end of the body portion 1, for the purpose of closing said end is a head piece 2 formed of any suitable material, preferably hard rubber and which is of greater diameter than the body portion l, as well as being of materially greater thickness than the thickness of the latter. The head piece 2 is in the form of a disc preferably corresponding in contour to the contour of the body portion l. The inner face of the head piece 2 is provided with an annular groove 3 of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the body portion l. The head piece 2 abuts against the outer end edge of the body portion l and the latter is surrounded by the groove 3. Anchored in the groove 3 and extending inwardly from the head piece 2 is a resilient, combined coupling and sealing band 4 which surrounds the outer end of the body portion l and is secured thereto.

The inner end of the body portion l abuts against and is closed by the cup element referred to generally at 5. The body portion 1 provides an air receiving chamber 6 and arranged therein is a coiled spring 7, having one end thereof, as at S anchored in the head piece 2 and its other end, as at 9 anchored in the cup element 5. The spring 't' normally retains the handle element in an extended position. The body portion l abuts against the cup element 5 and surrounding a part of the latter, as well as being secured thereto is a rearwardly extending, resilient, combined sealing and coupling band 10 which overlaps the forward end of the body portion and is secured vto said forward end. l

rIhe cup element 5 comprises circular base 11 having integral therewith and extending therefrom a flaring cupshaped body portion 12 formed of resilient material limpervious to air. The body portion 12 is of materially less thickness than the thickness of the'base 11 and the latter has a peripheral `-bead or shoulder 13 against which abuts the sealing band 10.

-The^base 11 is formed with a series of ports or openings 111 for estblishing communication between the body portion 12 and the chamber 6. The end lof the spring 9 is anchored in the base 11. Formed integral withthe base 11 and surrounded by the body portion 12, as well as being spaced therefrom, in a series of resilient tips or fingers 15 of different lengths and of tapered sion ona part of the scalp or .the skin the cupv element 5 is positioned to surround a part" of the scalp or skin aud with the handle element compressed and von relieving' pres-- `-sure on the handle element it will expand thereby creating suction within the body portion 12 and applying tension to the 'skinl 'Ihat part of lthe scalp or skin which is underl tension can then be massaged by the tips 15. If it be desired to use the device without employment of the body portion 12,`

the latter is swung tothe position shown in dotted lines, and the scalp or skin massaged with the tips 15 and by compressing the hlafndle element 1 the dandruif will be blown o It-is thought the many advantages of a massaging device, in accordance with this invention and for the purpose set forth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

A massage device comprising a resilient cup element provided therein with massaging tips and further provided with ports arranged between the rear ends of and extending rearwardly from the tips, a resilient tubular handle element of uniform diameter having its' forward end abutting ,thel rear face of the cup element, an annular member secured to and surrounding said elements for connecting them together and providing an aill tight joint, a closure having its inner facel abutting the other end of and of greater diameter than the handle element, an annular member surrounding the handle element and extending into said closure, secured to the latter andy handle element for connecting them together and providing an air tight joint, and a coiled yspring positionedl in the handle element and abutting the inner face of the closure and rear face of the cup element, said spring having one lend anchored in the rear face of the cup element and its other end in the inner face of said closure.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

ALOIS MERKE. 

